Britain to send another 250 troops to Iraq to help local forces fight Isis

There are currently more than 1,100 British troops deployed in Iraq

(File Photo) Britain will provide a further £1.4 million of ammunition to Kurdish Peshmergah forces (PA)

Britain is going to send a further 250 troops to Iraq help train local forces to fight Isis following recent successes against the group's strongholds.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) revealed the new deployment includes an additional 50 trainers who will be assigned to Al Asad Airbase in Western Iraq to instruct Iraqi personnel on infantry skills, combat first aid and countering improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The reinforcements will include 90 personnel to help guard Al Asad air base, 30 headquarters staff and a squadron of engineers to spend six months building infrastructure.

The British deployment in Iraq currently numbers at more than 1,100 and UK military instructors have already helped train more than 18,000 members of the Iraqi security forces (ISF) including Kurdish militia.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said the latest deployment was to build on recent progress made by the campaign against Isis - notably the retaking of the key cities Ramadi, Hit and Fallujah.

Mr Fallon said: "Iraqi forces have Daesh [Isis] on the back foot and are retaking territory, hitting its finances and striking its leadership.

"This deployment will help the Iraqi forces to build on this success and push them back further."

The Defence Secretary has also confirmed the British Government will supply a further £1.4 million in ammunition to Kurdish Peshmerga fighters.

RAF aircraft have already carried out around 900 targeted strikes against Isis from their base in Akritiri, Cyprus.